Fact Check: Illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border dropped to near record lows during Trump's term.

Fact Check: "Illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border dropped to near record lows during Trump's term."

What We Know

During Donald Trump's presidency, illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border did see significant fluctuations. Reports indicate that illegal border encounters dropped sharply, with some sources claiming a decrease of up to 95% in specific months compared to the peak periods under President Biden. For instance, in March 2025, Border Patrol encountered only 7,181 illegal immigrants, which was described as a "new record low" (source-1). This was contrasted with much higher numbers in previous years, such as 137,473 in March 2024 and 211,181 in March 2022 (source-1).

The Trump administration implemented several policies aimed at reducing illegal immigration, including stricter enforcement and the construction of border barriers. Reports from various outlets, including the Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal, noted that migrant crossings had slowed significantly during Trump's term, describing the situation at the border as a "near halt" (source-1, source-3).

Analysis

The claim that illegal crossings dropped to near record lows during Trump's presidency is supported by various statistics and reports. For example, the Trump administration's policies were credited with a drastic reduction in illegal crossings, with some reports indicating a 99% drop in "gotaways" (individuals who cross the border without being apprehended) (source-3).

However, it is essential to consider the context and the reliability of the sources. The data presented by the Trump administration and its supporters often highlight specific months or periods, which may not represent the overall trend throughout his entire presidency. For instance, while there were indeed significant drops in illegal crossings during certain months, overall trends show that illegal crossings fluctuated and were influenced by various factors, including changes in immigration policy and external conditions such as economic crises in migrant-sending countries (source-5, source-6).

Moreover, while some reports from conservative outlets and the Trump administration emphasize the success of his border policies, independent analyses and reports from more neutral sources indicate that the overall immigration situation is complex and cannot be solely attributed to one administration's policies (source-6, source-7).

Conclusion

The claim that illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border dropped to near record lows during Trump's term is Partially True. While there were significant reductions in illegal crossings during specific months, particularly in 2025, the overall immigration landscape during Trump's presidency was marked by fluctuations and complexities that are not fully captured by selective statistics. The context of these numbers, including external factors and the broader immigration policy landscape, suggests that while Trump's policies had a notable impact, they were part of a larger, ongoing issue that cannot be simplified to a single narrative.

Fact Check: Illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border dropped to near record lows during Trump's term.